Spring for vehicles



PATENT OFFICE.

. RICHARD MULHOLLAND, OF DUNKIBK, NEW YORK.

SPRING FO'R VEHICLES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 254,231, dated February 28, 1882.

' Application filed September 27, 1880. (ModeL) To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RICHARD MULHOL- LAND, a citizen of the United States, residing at Dunkirk, in the county of Chautauqua and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Springs for Vehicles; and I do hereby declare that the following is afull, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of the under side of a vehicle, showing the application of my invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevationof the same; Fig. 3, a rear end view; Fig. 4, a longitudinal vertical section. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the combination-box. Fig. 6 is a similar view of the double shackle; Fig. 7, a

sectional view thereof; Fig. 8, a perspective view of the double box-clip. Fig. 9 is a similar view of the eyes formed in the lever-arms of the torsion-spring; and Fig. 10 is a similar view of the eyes formed in the ends of the semielliptical spring. I The present invention has relation to tha class of vehicles provided with torsion-sprin gs, such as embraced in my patent granted July 20, 1880, No. 230,327, and wherein a stationary reach or reaches connect the front with the rear of the vehicle; and it consists in a novel construction of the torsionsprin gs, in connection with the means for securing them to the vehicle and to the usual se-ini-elli titical springs, substantially as shown in the drawings and hereinafter described.

In the accompanyingdrawings, Arepresents the body of the vehicle, having the usual semielliptical spring, B, and torsion-sprin gs G D E.

V The rear torsion-sprin g, G, is bent so as to form right-angle lever-arms a, wilh an inclination downward, as shown in Fig. 1. The outer ends of the arms a, have eyes, into which are inserted brass or other suitable bushings, as shown in Fig. 9, said eyes providing for the attachment of the torsion-spring O to the lower part of the double shackle F, which connects it to the semi-elliptical spring B. The central portion of the torsion-spring O is formed square or of an equivalent shape, as shown at b, to fit into a similarly-formed box-clip, a, secured to the under side of the body A. By forming the square portion b at the center of the spring 0 the pressure or strain upon the spring is equal, and there is less liability of injuring it by an unequal strain, thereby not only rendering the spring more effective, but providing a very simple means of connecting it to the vehicle-body. The spring G is also confined to the under side of the body A and upon each side of the clip 0 by clips 01, of the ordinary construction, so that the spring will be permitted to turn or twist at these points.

The semi-elliptical spring B is of the usual construction, and is turned over at its ends to form eyes, (preferably on top of the spring, which are lined with brass or other suitable metal to lessen the friction, as shown in Fig.

10. The spring B is rigidly attached in the.

usual manner, at or near its center, to the rear axle and bed-piece.

The double shackle F, with which I connect the ends of the two springs B 0 together, is formed with eye-plates e f, disposed at right angles to each other. The eye-plates e of the shackle clasp the ends of the semi-elliptical spring B, and are pivot-ally attached thereto, while the eye-plates f clasp the ends of the arms a of the torsion-spring (J, and are pivotally connected at right angles with the transverse semi-elliptical spring. A recess is cut through the bed' part of the shackle F, into which is inserted a rubber or other elastic cushion or packing, g. It will be seen that when the ends of the torsion and semi-elliptical springs O B are connected by the shackles F the cushion g pressesagainst the upper surface of the arms a of the spring 0, and also against the lower surface of the ends of the spring B, thereby exerting an. upward-pressure on the one and a downward pressure on the other, and compensates for the loss by wear at the pivotal ends of the springs, causing them to act noiselessly.

The front torsion-springs, D E, are of the usual construction, having the lever-arms i, which, being the part subject to torsion, are secured to the body A in the journal-bearings l of the combination-boxes G, and are there permitted to turn or twist in their bearings. The ends of the arms i of springs D E are made square or of an equivalent form, as shown at h, to fitinto similar formed seats in the combination-boxes G, in order to make a rigid connection of the arms 45 at their ends to the body of the vehicle.

In order to prevent end displacement of the arms 2, they may be also secured to the body A by suitable bolts passing through the extreme ends thereof.

The combination-boxes G have caps m fitting over the journal-bearin g l, to hold the torsion-sprin gs in position, the several boxes and clips hereinbefore described being connected to the body of the vehicle by bolts or other suitable means, and are open upon their upper side to allow the ready adjustment of the springs in securing them to the body.

If found practicable, a combination-box, as shown in Fig. 8,may connect the arms '5 to the body A where indicated by dotted lines, Fig. 1; and,so far as the boxes G are concerned as a means of securing the springs I) E to the body A, it is not essential that the springs should be connected to the axle or end bar, as shown, as I reserve the right to employ the boxes G as a means for securing the torsionsprings to the vehicle-body without regard to the double shackle F or the use of the semielliptical spring B, or any special means of connecting the springs D E to the vehiclebody.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination, with the body, the axle or end bar of a vehicle, and torsion spring or springs, of the boxes G, having square or equivalent formed seats 7:, and circular bearings I, over which are placed caps m, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

2. The combination, with a torsion and semielliptical spring, of the coupling device consistin g of the shackles F, having eye-plates e f, arranged with relation to each other as shown, and for the purpose described.

3. In a vehicle, the shackle F, constructed substantiallyas shown and described, and having the rubber or elastic cushion 9 extending upon both sides of the bed portion thereof, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

RICHARD MULHOLLAND.

Witnesses:

WILLIAM HARKINS, JOHN MADIGAN. 

